Students discuss campus atmosphere, friendliness

Feb. 20, 2013

Written by

Brittany Lyons

Contributing Writer

Students at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va. follow the guideline of a speaking tradition that requires them to say “hello” to any other students that they see on campus, regardless of if they know them. This tradition encourages a friendly atmosphere on campus and a concern for the well-being of fellow students. While Florida State University doesn’t have any such policy, some students believe that the campus has a similar feel.

“I think FSU is one of the nicest places I have ever been,” freshman Adrienne Hardy said. “Even while just touring, I was impressed with the calm and nice disposition of everyone around me. At home in Orlando, crossing the street was a hazardous trip, but here at FSU, people wave you to walk across before their car.”

FSU’s Uphold the Garnet and Gold program attempts to encourage this behavior by having gold coins pass from person to person when someone is “caught” exemplifying the University’s values. The program held a Civility Week in the fall semester that encouraged students to thank faculty members and consider global issues.

“Even after a semester and a half, I am still caught off guard when walking in the grocery store and a complete stranger makes eye contact and waves hi,” Hardy said. “I have not ever seen the person before and probably never will again, but they still paused in their busy life to show some kindness.”

This semester, the week of Feb. 11 through the 17 marked Random Acts of Kindness Week. Some students were quick to recognize the moments of unexpected benevolence in their lives. The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation aims to inspire people to be kind and pass it on to others. The movement encourages people to help brighten another’s day with big or small gestures—from paying for someone’s meal at a restaurant to playing music at nursing homes.

“I just try and remember to smile at everyone I pass, to try and remember the little things people tell me, and to help make someone’s day a little bit easier,” sophomore Lilio Camere said.

Most college students lead busy lives, and small acts of kindness can make the difference between a good day and an average one. Of course, if someone is in a difficult state of mind, a smile may seem irrelevant to their situation. But it is important to remember that any single person can make a difference in another person’s life.“It seems that here people recognize that we are all people working together and encourage each other daily,” Hardy said. “Everyone here is so approachable and cheerful.”

Hardy feels the campus and Tallahassee have plenty of kindness to go around.“Tallahassee maintains a Southern charm and friendly enchantment not seen everywhere,” Hardy said. “It is a special thing unique to us—to Florida State University.”